Celestial

Bus Projects Opening 2023
Bus Projects, Melbourne
Thursday 10 August
6pm - 8pm

Out of Bounds 2023
Temperance Hall, Melbourne
Saturday 12 August
4.30pm

Choreographed by Zoë Bastin, Celestial reimagines angels as heralds of the queer extraordinary. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance painting, the work explores the ethereal essence of angels beyond binary forms of gender and sexuality. In Celestial, angels transcend the boundaries of human existence, emerging as radiant symbols of light. Zoë Bastin draws upon the works of Renaissance masters to reinterpret angels as messengers of the queer extraordinary, envisioning new forms of gender and sexuality that challenge societal norms. Through an innovative use of scale and light, Bastin’s choreography seeks to dismantle traditional representations, inviting audiences to engage with the complexities of identity and the fluidity of existence.

Performed by Ashlee Barton, Alex Dobson, Al Jefimenko, Iris Elgar, Paris Robinson, Rachel Mackie, Val Emerald.

The project has received support from esteemed organisations such as Dancehouse, Lucy Guerin Inc, Temperance Hall, the Villa Lena Foundation (Italy), and Critical Path.

The conceptual exploration of Celestial unfolds as an epic operatic tale of 18 queer angels in paradise. With wings fluttering and hands clasped at the heart, the dancers embody unique tasks that weave together narratives of debauchery, joy, and resistance, confronting queer, camp, and uncanny obstacles. Bastin's choreographic vision, situated at the intersection of conceptual art and dance, seeks redemption from shame, striving for the exaltation of queer humanity as messengers of the unknown.

Celestial draws on the rich history of Renaissance art, particularly the religious paintings from the era, reflecting on Florence and Tuscany as epicentres of homosexual activity in the 15th and 16th centuries. The project engages with histories of queer subversion, employing religious iconography from a historic queer Renaissance to reconsider our contemporary moment.

By pushing the limits of queer representation, Celestial challenges the prevailing norms inherited from religious morality and classical Western art forms, recognising a half-millennia of resistance. This performance serves as a vital rebellion against the heteronormative representation in ballet and dance, affirming the significance of queer visibility and expression in the arts. Through Celestial, Bastin advocates for a reimagined landscape where diverse identities can flourish, celebrating the richness of queer experiences as an essential part of the artistic narrative.

For more on Zoë Bastin, see their website